Some Mid-Week Housekeeping, Linking, and Fundraising

It's summer. You know that. You also know that news from the world of college football trickles out of the information spigot exceptionally slow, as we wait for fall practice to kick up and the preseason polls to be released. We're only a couple months away from all that happening, but until it does, it's slow going. Alas, today is more of a housekeeping day here at OTP and the day where we ask your help for the Cardinals.

With the recent ability of OTP to land top-level interviews, commentary, and expertise about the Cardinals, we feel some sense of responsibility to give back in some ways for the program we love and the University that allowed all of us to get somewhat educated, some more than others. In some ways, BSU is really the defining thing for a lot us who write this site, contribute to this site, and read this site. And frankly, BSU is doing a hell of a job raising its profile in terms of victories, but none of that really matters if the dollars being raised don't increase. It's because of that that OTP is asking our readership to help the Cardinals out, while helping OTP out at the same time.

This summer is a summer of potentially great transition for us, as we move to a new site interface, increase and better the nuts and bolts that run the place, and hopefully move away from Blogger. Unfortunately, that means moving away from free software and actually paying for site maintenance, creation, and hosting fees. So the need for OTP to move upward coupled with the need for BSU to receive some much needed funding has brought about the OTP Fund Drive 09. Over on the right hand side of this page, you'll see a little "Donate" button that will link you to Paypal. What we're asking for is donations that will go toward OTP's improvement and also the Cardinal Varsity Club. 50% of all donations will go to CVC, and your contribution can help increase the profile of this site and our school. There isn't any amount too small, as BSU needs all the help that it can get. We'll have a running scoreboard over the next month as to who donates the most, and the Top 3 donators will receive some cool BSU prizes for their collection. Thanks in advance if you decide to help out!

And now for the linkage!

For the Cardinals:

• The New York Times profiles Ball State in their preseason countdown. The Cardinals clock in at #85, and truthfully, this is one of the more accurate preseason pieces on the Cardinals, and I've read (and shared) almost all of them. Of special note to us is the mention of this here OTP wonderment in terms of coverage of the Cardinals. Giggity.
• In the Bleachers is counting down their top 50 players not in the BCS, and one Briggs Orsbon makes their list at #47. Something tells me he will not be the last Cardinal in this list, as MiQuale Lewis has got to be up there. If he isn't, then shame on them.
• In alum news, Matt Barrows of the Sacramento Bee responds to questions regarding Nate Davis and how the 49ers intend to use him. Quite frankly, Davis appears to be a project for the 9ers, and one they believe is worthy of spending time on. Time will of course prove me right or wrong, but I believe the 49ers got an absolute steal when they were able to pick Nate.

For the Wildcats:

• CNNSI profiles Rich Brooks and insists he is ending the basketball monopoly in Lexington. This season will ultimately be the marker of Brooks' success with Big Blue.
• A Sea of Blue continues to be the one stop shop for Kentucky coolness, as former WR Dicky Lyons Jr. begins to blog for them. Great pick up for Glenn, Ken, and the gang over at ASoB.
• Chip Cosby points to the news that incoming recruit Morgan Newton has been named the suburban athlete of the year for Indianapolis by the Indy Star. In reality, that's not all that impressive an award, but knowing The Star, I'm sure they hated being positive about anyone affiliated with Kentucky.